Who’s Going Where In Postseason Hoops For Beehive State
Mar 17, 2019, 8:26 PM | Updated: 8:28 pm
Utah forward Timmy Allen, right, and teammates leave the court after loss to the Oregon Ducks in Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinal game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, March 14, 2019. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – March Madness is officially in full effect. With the conclusion of the conference championship tournaments, the field for the postseason tournaments have started to take shape.
Utah State was the lone school from the Beehive State to make it to the Big State after clinching an automatic berth thanks to a win over San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference title game.
Following the announcement of the NCAA Tournament field, the National Invitational Tournament announced its field of participants. Not a single team from Utah was selected to the NIT.
Here’s a look at the postseason tournament plans for schools from the Beehive State:
BYU Cougars
The Cougars suffered an embarrassing loss to San Diego in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference tournament that likely resulted in their exclusion from the NIT. Winning the tournament was likely the Cougars’ only chance at earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament, which didn’t happen.
THANK YOU COUGAR NATION!!#BYUhoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/OmBJXdCFAt
— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) March 18, 2019
Following the NIT selection show, in which BYU was not announced as a participant, BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe made an announcement that the program would not pursue entry into the CBI or CIT.
By ending the season, the Cougars will wrap up the year with less than 20 wins for the first time in head coach Dave Rose’s 13 seasons at the helm.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds
After making a big upset of Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference tournament, SUU’s run ended with a loss to Eastern Washington in the semifinals.
BREAKING | Southern Utah Accepts Bid to https://t.co/g216rSF4eZ Postseason Tournament ⚡️
📰 >> https://t.co/aGIJR1jdgS#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/x3Mp8acRMy
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) March 16, 2019
Still, the Thunderbirds will continue one its best seasons in program history by hosting at least one game in the CollegeInsiders.com Postseason Tournament, also known as the CIT.
SUU’s opponent in the tournament has yet to be determined.
Utah Utes
Following a frustrating loss to Oregon in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference Tournament, Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak told the media that the team would not play in a tournament other than the NCAA or NIT.
The 2018-19 Season has come to an end. Utes finish the Season 17-14.
Thank you #UteNation for all your support! #GoUtes🏀🔴 pic.twitter.com/L93JcWy4WK
— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) March 18, 2019
According to KSL Sports’ Trevor Allen, the program has made good on Krystkowiak’s word. The Utes’ season is over.
While they secured a third place finish in the conference tournament, it was a so-so season for Utah. The team will finish the 2018-19 season with a 17-14 record and a 11-7 mark in conference play.
Utah State Aggies
The Aggies will extend their magical season in Columbus, Ohio as they take on Washington on Friday in a first round matchup.
They call it the Big Dance … So let's DANCE!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/it3jdwkfdV
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 17, 2019
It’s the first showing in the NCAA Tournament since 2011 for Utah State.
The Aggies earned an 8-seed in the Big Dance, their best seed ever.
Utah Valley Wolverines
The Wolverines will continue one of the best seasons in program history by hosting Cal State Northridge in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational.
It's official. Let the games begin!#CBI2019 #GoBruno #LanceUp #ONEMatador #ChantsUp #dpubb #LopesUp #HowardMBB #GoWood #JoinThePride #RunWithUs #SMTTT #SeawolvesUnited #UVUhoops #HailWV #WinAsOne pic.twitter.com/TyrHIuYGug
— College BBall Invit. (@CBITourney) March 18, 2019
The game will tip off Tuesday at 7 p.m.
En route to winning a program best 24 games, the Wolverines were led by Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Jake Toolson and his cousin Conner.
Weber State Wildcats
After being blown out by Montana in the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference tournament, the Wildcats may be done for the season.
A few 🏀📸 from this season. Thanks Wildcat fans for all your support this season. #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/uXZCLEl5A9
— WeberStateMBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) March 17, 2019
They were not among the field in the NCAA, NIT or CBI tournaments and had not announced a deal with the CIT as SUU did earlier in the week.
All indications show that Weber State is likely going to end its season with an 18-15 record.
